Rigid-flex cost drivers: a procurement worksheet

A useful rigid-flex cost comparison starts with matched requirements and quantities. Separate one-time charges from recurring unit prices, identify what ea

Bare-board electrical testing versus functional testing

Bare-board electrical testing and functional testing answer different questions. A bare-board test examines specified electrical properties before componen

ENIG versus hard gold: start with the pad function

Choose a PCB gold finish by the job the surface must perform. A solderable component pad, a repeatedly mated contact, and a bonding surface should not be t

From fabrication data to a rigid-flex process plan

A useful rigid-flex manufacturing handoff connects each released file to a defined part revision and explains which information governs the construction. T

Impedance targets across rigid and flexible regions

A shared impedance target does not automatically imply one trace geometry throughout a rigid-flex PCB. Review each region using its actual construction and

Reading a region-specific rigid-flex stackup

A rigid-flex stackup must be read by region. A layer present in a rigid island may be absent from an exposed flex span, so a single overall layer count is

How to define rigid and flex regions in a fabrication drawing

A rigid-flex PCB fabrication drawing should let a reviewer identify each region, locate its boundaries, and connect it to the correct stackup without guessing. Start with a dimensioned flat view, give every rigid island and flex section a stable identifier, and use those identifiers consistently across the stackup, bend notes, and manufacturing outputs. This guide […]